ACES Books

Number 2 in the 'mancer series.Aquamancer intro- duces new characters, along with the our original friends. Callander does an excellent job with his characters and handles his plots with humor and fun. You will find yourself searching for all the books in this series. Easy reading and relaxing!

This is a great book, i have read all the mancer books and they are fantasticly great. If you love fantasy you will love all of Don Callander's books. This one is by far the best mancer book i have read(except geomancer, because i have not read it yet. It is out of print). I hope you enjoy this book and all the others by Don Callander.

This is the only Durdane book I've read so far, unfortunately they seem to be out of print. It's a typical Vance book; Our hero has strange and resourceful travelling companions. He acts on impulse at critical junctions and saves the day? It's a fast paced book, entertaining and engrossing.

Why do people always relate on the Tchai saga? This Durdane adventure reveals all the richness of Jack Vances' talent.Follow the driven heroe in his colourfull encounters: people, beasts, behaviors, with the "stranger in a strange land" feeling. It's not just "science fiction".

It amazes me how Burroughs could change the scenes of his stories in so many ways, without changing the story itself.

This time, the mysterious and unexplored land is the inner surface of a hollow Earth. David Innes reaches it via an ill-explained "prospector," created in secret by super-scientist Perry. This digging machine is to soil what a submarine is to water, so off they go on the first trial of the machine and its super-motor. They go way off, farther than they ever imagined.

Pellucidar, that planet-within-a-planet, hosts Innes's adventure for the next decade. Its nightless sky illuminates a world apparently undergoing the same evolution seen on the surface, nearly in lock-step, but with eras crossing each other in merry abandon. That gives plenty of time for bronto-riding cavemen, hulking and hirsuit half-men, pterodactyls, and fiendishly intelligent dinosaurians - the anthropophagi obligatory in a tale of this type. And, as is the ERBish habit, there's a damsel in distress, a baffling romance thwarted by chivalric misunderstandings, and the sneaking traitor, kept close at hand for those frequent moments when a dramatic act of treachery needed to take the place of logical progression. And yes, the super-scientific explorers end up fighting with swords.

If this were a movie, it would call out for a rainy Saturday and a bucket of popcorn. If you just want a swashbuckler, long on derring-do and short on reasons for doing it, you've come to the right place. Tarzan's creator consistently fulfills every expectation, as long as it's se low enough.

-- wiredweird

Note: I made some Mormon angry because of my negative reviews of books out to prove the Book of Mormon, and that person has been slamming my reviews.

Your "helpful" vote is greatly appreciated. Thanks


A very short review is not necessarily a bad review. I hope you find something useful. So here it goes:

Treat yourself and get lost in an Edgar Rice Burroughs' book. This edition of "At the Earth's Core," a Tarzan-like adventure at the center of the earth, is remarkable for its wonderful cover, by Roy Krenkel, Jr.

Ah, what a world Burroughs created and beautifully illustrated by Krenkel. I bought the book for the illustration, and it was many years before I read the wonderful story.

For a 1930's adventure in Africa, read "Cry Wolf" (an Indiana Jones type of adventure in Ethiopia), by Wilbur Smith.
Cry Wolf

Another is "The Sapphirer Sea" (a modern adventure on Zanzibar), by Robinson The Sapphire Sea

"We feature Automation Pays! in our point-of-sale training video. An excellent resource."; Larry Jackson, Business Technology Association.

This is the foreword to Automation Pays! by Corley Phillips President, Telephone Response Technologies, Roseville, CA: Computers are becoming an integral part of our everyday lives. This is especially true in businesses, where computers have gone from being a luxury to a necessity. Companies, such as Wal-Mart, have shown retailers how sophisticated inventory management through automation can give a company the competitive edge it needs to become a leader. It was this distinct advantage of automation that led my company to choose its mission statement: "Helping Growing Businesses Operate More Effectively."; Automated businesses truly are more effective. Those who do not automate find themselves at a particular competitive disadvantage. Their automated competitors always seem to have the popular items in stock, while those with manual systems have "dust collectors" soaking up carrying costs and profits. Competitors conduct rifle-shot marketing campaigns based upon current customer data, while those without customer information are still scattering their marketing dollars in shotgun fashion. Their competitors respond instantly to new trends based on up-to-date information, while the ones with manual systems find themselves guessing - often wrong. So, where do you turn for information on automation? In an industry as young as the PC software industry, it's unusual to find a guy like Chuck Atkinson who can provide a decade and a half of automation experience. His deep-seated conviction that automation is not only a necessity but a very profitable investment comes from years of experience in developing products for retailers and seeing the resulting benefits. This book will clearly demonstrate the advantages of automation in very practical terms.

Although the Saint books are definitely best if read in the right order, most of them - especially the later ones - can be read in isolation without great loss. The present book, the direct sequel to The Last Hero, is the exception.

Once again arms-dealer Rayt Marius is plotting to start a war to increase demand for his products, and once again Simon and his friends frustrate his major plan. But of course, Marius has a second string to his bow, and the climax of "Knight Templar" is the most electrifying in any Saint book (and, incidentally, provides the mechanism whereby Simon is able to continue on through thirty-three more rather than spending the next forty years in gaol).

Crown Prince Rudolf, my very favourite villain, who only comes on stage towards the end of the earlier opus, appears early here in the tale of the Desecrated Royal Toothpaste.

BTW, the titles of ten of the Saint books were later - confusingly - changed, as follows:

01: Meet the Tiger -> The Saint Meets the Tiger
03: The Last Hero -> The Saint Closes the Case
04: Knight Templar -> The Avenging Saint
07: She Was A Lady -> The Saint Meets His Match
08: The Holy Terror -> The Saint vs. Scotland Yard
10: Once More the Saint -> The Saint and Mr. Teal
12: The Misfortunes of Mr. Teal -> The Saint in London
13: Boodle -> The Saint Intervenes
18: Thieves Picnic -> The Saint Bids Diamonds
19: Prelude for War -> The Saint Plays With Fire

The fatuity of the revised titles is nowhere more evident than with the present book and its antecedent: in "The Last Hero" the Saint does not close the case, and in "Knight Templar" the one thing he does not do is avenge the death of Norman Kent.

P.S. For a list of -- and discussion of -- all Charteris's Saint books, see my So You'd Like To... Guide.

Although the Saint books are definitely best if read in the right order, most of them - especially the later ones - can be read in isolation without great loss. The present book, the direct sequel to The Last Hero, is the exception.

Once again arms-dealer Rayt Marius is plotting to start a war to increase demand for his products, and once again Simon and his friends frustrate his major plan. But of course, Marius has a second string to his bow, and the climax of "Knight Templar" is the most electrifying in any Saint book (and, incidentally, provides the mechanism whereby Simon is able to continue on through thirty-three more rather than spending the next forty years in gaol).

Crown Prince Rudolf, my very favourite villain, who only comes on stage towards the end of the earlier opus, appears early here in the tale of the Desecrated Royal Toothpaste.

BTW, the titles of ten of the Saint books were later - confusingly - changed, as follows:

01: Meet the Tiger -> The Saint Meets the Tiger
03: The Last Hero -> The Saint Closes the Case
04: Knight Templar -> The Avenging Saint
07: She Was A Lady -> The Saint Meets His Match
08: The Holy Terror -> The Saint vs. Scotland Yard
10: Once More the Saint -> The Saint and Mr. Teal
12: The Misfortunes of Mr. Teal -> The Saint in London
13: Boodle -> The Saint Intervenes
18: Thieves Picnic -> The Saint Bids Diamonds
19: Prelude for War -> The Saint Plays With Fire

The fatuity of the revised titles is nowhere more evident than with the present book and its antecedent: in "The Last Hero" the Saint does not close the case, and in "Knight Templar" the one thing he does not do is avenge the death of Norman Kent.

P.S. For a list of -- and discussion of -- all Charteris's Saint books, see my So You'd Like To... Guide.

It's a shame not too many people have read this. It became a cult favorite in my school many years ago when I recommended it to my classmates and I still read it after many years. It's been lent out so many times it's divided into four pieces and I STILL read it, so I think that says something. It's very creative and stylistic, nothing else I've read has approached this style. Craig Shaw Gardner takes the wondrous yet speedy tone the original Arabian Nights takes, and perverts it horribly. I don't know why authors don't pervert classics. Maybe I should.

Craig Shaw Gardner once again bombards his readers with his wit and wacky humor. I love this book and Gardner's style. It may not be something everyone can appreciate, but I do, and find it incredibly amusing.

In my last 35+ years I've read 80+ Louis L'Amour novels. His 'Western' novels kept me glued to the pages hoping the plane wouldn't land right now; or my wife wouldn't turn off the bedroom reading light; or, heaven forbid, I didn't have to get to work!
Moving to Texas in January 2006, it took me about 18 months to 'discover' Elmer Kelton. I had only visited Texas 5 or 6 times in the last 45 years and all on business. Retirement has found me faithfully reading 'Texas Highways' every month. A few months ago, the magazine had a feature article on Mr. Kelton and I bought a couple of his paperbacks through Amazon.com.
Well, I am 'HOOKED' on his 'Westerns'! I feel as if I'm riding the west Texas range 100+ years ago and enjoying the same types of 'good times', as well as experiencing the same types of 'bad times', of today. Also, I truly enjoy reading interesting subjects & his characters are simply wonderful! Never a 'bad' word (except for a rare 'damn') thrills me!
It is my intent to read all of his books and keep the memories of them in my heart and mind.

Have read several books by Elmer Kelton and have enjoyed them all. This one is no exception. It is about Doug Monahan and the stringing of barbed wire in Texas when it was not popular. He is fought by Andrew Rinehart who has been there a long time and has always done everything like he wanted. It is time for change and Monahan is determined to make it happen. There are the usual fights, and action along the way. I am guessing that things like this actually happen at that time. The book will keep you interested. Monahan does not run when threatened and he will stand on his own. Heis joined by others in his fight.

I too read this book in one sitting, as I could not put it down and go to bed. I was immensely let down when I got to the end of the book and found that the story did not end there! I eagerly anticipate the sequel! So... Lisa.... If you are reading this.... when's the sequel coming out?

I picked up this book at a discount bookstore while on vacation. I started reading it right away. It had mixed two of my favorite subjects together- horses and science fiction. Lisa Maxwell really knew about horses. Most books I pick up I can tell right away that the author knows nothing about these beautiful creatures (I have ridden horses for quite a while). I could tell Ms. Maxwell shared the same love of horses as I have. Also she has a wonderful imagination, writing a book full of fantasy, romance, and exciting adventures. I was very dissapointed when the story was over. That the only downfall about the story- it ended without total closure. I am still awaiting a sequel, and I hope Ms. Maxwell intends to write one because I would love to read how she thinks the story could end. Her style of writing was easy for me to follow, all her knowledge about horses was accurate, and she was able to keep me interested in the story/plot from page one till the end. I would certainly recommend this book to any wanting to go on an exciting journey full of fantasy, espicially if they have a love of animals.

The Biofab War is the first of a four book series. The first book was published by Ace and the other three were published by TOR. It takes place in the last decade of the Cold War, with a lot of cold warriors finding themselbves facing an alien invasion. Grand Space Opera. One weakness is that all of the K'Ronarins have the same naming system. There is no appreciable cultural diversity for the K'Ronarins. Other than that, it is a fun read.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Read it if you can get it. The other review covered it pretty well. What would you do if suddenly you found out Earth had been secretly invaded and humans were just a colony of a long-fallen empire? Take up arms and fight the green bugs or lay down and become lunch? Where's my M11A? Bring it on!

Contact TOR Books at: inquiries@tor.com and ask for a reprint. I have. All your friends have. Whay haven't you? While your at it check out my website with a Stephen Ames Berry page under the good reads section:

http://members.xoom.com/jeremydobe/index.htm

C-Ya

Jeremy

This is an incredible book of historical significance, as former major league pitcher Jim "Mudcat" Grant profiles the thirteen African-Americans who won 20 or more games in Major League Baseball and ten pitchers from Negro Leagues Baseball who he feels would have achieved that feat in MLB.

Grant writes from a knowledge gained from his own experience in the pro game; he is the first African-American to reach the single-season milestone in the American League and win a World Series Game for an AL club, both achieved in 1965 with the Minnesota Twins.

The updated edition includes additional text and photos and a chronicle of Grant's visit to The White House, with Dontrelle Willis of the Detroit Tigers and former fire-balling aces, Mike Norris and Ferguson Jenkins.

The MLB season is in its opening weeks and dreams are still as fresh as the sod in the stadium outfields. Each of the pitchers in the book dreamed of diamond glory and will forever be remembered for their achievements due to Grant's meticulous work in bringing their stories to life.

This book covers both the African-American Major League pitchers who have won 20 or more games in a season (the "Black Aces": 13 of them to date) and African-American pitchers from the Negro Leagues who the author thinks would have been in the "Black Aces" group (eg Satchel Paige). The lead author is Jim "Mudcat" Grant, the first AL "Black Ace" and his own experiences along with his intimate knowledge of many of the other subjects lend great authenticity and charm to the book.
It is an historical celebration of great baseball players and a reflection of trying times. I am enjoying it greatly.